Jewellery & Watch News
One of our all-time favourite Italian watch manufacturer’s is U-Boat. Their unique and adventurous collections of luxury watches are born entirely from the mind of Italo Fontana, the grandson of the brand’s original inspiration. His creativity and unmistakable character is embodied within each and every U-Boat watch as he selects for himself the design features and the technical specifications. For the brand’s latest release, he challenged himself to blend together two products of the past and present.
Back in 1938, U-Boat launched its Doppiotempo model which was originally designed for the Italian army's parachute assault regiment, the Col Moschin. Its DNA was characterised by two crowns, one for setting the time and date and the other for adjusting the dual-time function – dual-time translating to “Doppiotempo” in Italian. The dual-time feature was then paired with an iconic rotating bezel for the easy setting and reading of a second time zone. It is this very complication that inspires the brand’s latest release as it comes paired, for the very for time, with their legendary oil-immersed Capsoil watch in the new U-Boat Capsoil Doppio Tempo collection.
Those unfamiliar with the U-Boat Capsoil series is in for a treat. These ground-breaking designs showcase the brand’s Oil Immersion concept which sees the entire electro-mechanical movement and the dial immersed in a bath of oil. The effect this has is truly astounding, intensifying the three-dimensional effect and giving the impression that the sapphire crystal glass is absent. The dials are also home to a unique compensation bubble which floats freely on the dial to compensate for temperature variations. The new U-Boat Capsoil Doppio Tempo watches offer this very same dial alongside the historic Doppiotempo complication for a wonderful mix of tradition and innovation.
There are currently two U-Boat Capsoil Doppio Tempo watches to choose from, both offering all the same functionality, movement and aesthetics but differing in their case finish. Reference 8769 is finished in classic AISI 316L stainless steel while the second model, 8770, gives the steel a satin-finished black DLC treatment. Both designs measure to 45mm in diameter and are equipped with the two crowns on the left hand side of the case, a rotating bezel and a closed case back waterproof to 100 metres.
For us, the dial of the U-Boat Capsoil Doppio Tempo watches is where the real beauty lies. Featuring two superimposed layers, the dial is fully submerged in oil offering one of the most intense black faces we have ever seen. It’s purity also assists in extreme legibility thanks to the contrasting beige-coloured Superluminova treated hands and indexes and the vivid colouring of the red arrow-shaped GMT hand. The dial is protected beneath curved sapphire crystal glass.
Powering the hours, minutes and dual time complication is a Swiss made electro-mechanical movement which is fully lubricated in the same oil bath as the dial. It is protected behind an innovative locking system case back for quick battery replacement. Lastly, to complete each U-Boat Capsoil Doppio Tempo watch is an ultra-resistant black vulcanized rubber strap customized with the embossed U-Boat logo and a pin buckle finished in its respective case material.
If you’d like to learn more about the new U-Boat Capsoil Doppio Tempo watches and order your own, you can do so on the C W Sellors website here or by contacting the team on 01335 453453.
Specifications: U-Boat Capsoil Doppio Tempo Watches (8769, 8770)
- Case Size: 45mm
- Case Material: Stainless steel with or without black DLC
- Bezel: Rotating
- Glass: Domed sapphire crystal:
- Crown: Double crown on left side, one for time adjustment, second for second time setting
- Case Back: Closed with innovative locking system
- Water Resistance: 100 metres
- Movement: Swiss electro-mechanical movement lubricated with oil bath
- Functions: Hours, minutes, dual-time
- Dial: Black with oil bath, beige hands and indexes with Superluminova
- Strap: Black ultra-resistant vulcanised rubber
- Buckle: Pin
- RRP: £1,800 (Steel), £1,890 (Black DLC)
